Visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina -- Any advice
Dec 21, 2018, 10:29 am
#1
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Location: California, USA
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Visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina -- Any advice
Hello,
I'm thinking of staying here (Sheraton Libertador) at the end of December with my 2 teenage sons (17,19). This will be our first time to visit Argentina and would really value some tips (Travelling on some non-rev tickets, don't mind the journey from San Francisco).
How is the neighborhood where this hotel is located? Should I be unduly concerned about safety? We will be in BA for 72 hours. Are there any tours (English) via bus worth taking?
Any tips on visiting Argentina are most appreciated. We are all street savvy, sons (6'6 and 6'4 respectively) have visited Australia, NZ, UK and China this year alone, I figured I should go along on this one ...
Thank you,
IrishBoy
Menlo Park, CA
I'm thinking of staying here (Sheraton Libertador) at the end of December with my 2 teenage sons (17,19). This will be our first time to visit Argentina and would really value some tips (Travelling on some non-rev tickets, don't mind the journey from San Francisco).
How is the neighborhood where this hotel is located? Should I be unduly concerned about safety? We will be in BA for 72 hours. Are there any tours (English) via bus worth taking?
Any tips on visiting Argentina are most appreciated. We are all street savvy, sons (6'6 and 6'4 respectively) have visited Australia, NZ, UK and China this year alone, I figured I should go along on this one ...
Thank you,
IrishBoy
Menlo Park, CA
Dec 21, 2018, 5:19 pm
#2
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Hi IrishBoy,
Quicker than I'd like (from someone who has been to Argentina about a dozen times --worked in Mendoza-- and about 6 times to BsAs): the neighborhood is fine; I would have no concerns with safety (even excluding the heights of your sons). In addition to the other things you'll learn, I'd do a lot of walking around the city (a wonderful way to experience amazing cities like this/Paris/Barcelona/Rome/Bangkok), def take a stroll around the wonderful preserve just to the east of the Sheraton, right on the water. If you will be there on a Sunday, def visit San Telmo (will be very crowded, yet worth it). Drink a lot of wonderful Malbec (plus don't discount other great reds from Mendoza: Cab Franc, Cab, Merlot, etc), try Torrentes from Salta (a white). The roses in the garden might be in bloom, if so, it is definitely worth the stroll from the Sheraton to the amazing Botanical gardens; stop by the cemetary on the way. Oooo, this is making miss this wonderful city. Casa Rosada. Btw, I have no qualms riding the subway, either.
I so love Arg, BsAs, the Argentinos and hope and suspect you three will have a great time.
Bon Voyage!
Quicker than I'd like (from someone who has been to Argentina about a dozen times --worked in Mendoza-- and about 6 times to BsAs): the neighborhood is fine; I would have no concerns with safety (even excluding the heights of your sons). In addition to the other things you'll learn, I'd do a lot of walking around the city (a wonderful way to experience amazing cities like this/Paris/Barcelona/Rome/Bangkok), def take a stroll around the wonderful preserve just to the east of the Sheraton, right on the water. If you will be there on a Sunday, def visit San Telmo (will be very crowded, yet worth it). Drink a lot of wonderful Malbec (plus don't discount other great reds from Mendoza: Cab Franc, Cab, Merlot, etc), try Torrentes from Salta (a white). The roses in the garden might be in bloom, if so, it is definitely worth the stroll from the Sheraton to the amazing Botanical gardens; stop by the cemetary on the way. Oooo, this is making miss this wonderful city. Casa Rosada. Btw, I have no qualms riding the subway, either.
I so love Arg, BsAs, the Argentinos and hope and suspect you three will have a great time.
Bon Voyage!
Dec 22, 2018, 4:56 pm
#4
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Hey Irishboy, btw, your " I figured I should go along on this one ... " was the only reason I made that first response to FT in 3 yrs; it's wonderful;
So along those lines (before your youngest catches on.. hopefully not before he's 25) might I suggest a coupla of other (ahem, necessary) chareroned itineraries to spend with your boys? DEF Capetown: the peninsula, great winelands, a safari, ?great-white cage dive; Jordan: Amman, Petra, etc, etc; Cambodia: Angkor, etc, etc; (if you are a really good sell b/c it is SO safe/amazing) Lisbon...
or Madrid or Barcelona) Oh, Peru and Macchu??!! ..etc, etc, etc (Hey, even Guat: Antigua, Atitlan, Tikal: A.m.azing!!) I wish you all the best.
So along those lines (before your youngest catches on.. hopefully not before he's 25) might I suggest a coupla of other (ahem, necessary) chareroned itineraries to spend with your boys? DEF Capetown: the peninsula, great winelands, a safari, ?great-white cage dive; Jordan: Amman, Petra, etc, etc; Cambodia: Angkor, etc, etc; (if you are a really good sell b/c it is SO safe/amazing) Lisbon...
or Madrid or Barcelona) Oh, Peru and Macchu??!! ..etc, etc, etc (Hey, even Guat: Antigua, Atitlan, Tikal: A.m.azing!!) I wish you all the best.
Dec 22, 2018, 5:02 pm
#5
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Hey Irishboy, btw, your " I figured I should go along on this one ... " was the only reason I made that first response to FT in 3 yrs; it's wonderful;
So along those lines (before your youngest catches on.. hopefully not before he's 25) might I suggest a coupla of other (ahem, necessary) chareroned itineraries to spend with your boys? DEF Capetown: the peninsula, great winelands, a safari, ?great-white cage dive; Jordan: Amman, Petra, etc, etc; Cambodia: Angkor, etc, etc; (if you are a really good sell b/c it is SO safe/amazing) Lisbon... or Madrid or Barcelona) Oh, Peru and Macchu??!! ..etc, etc, etc (Hey, even Guat: Antigua, Atitlan, Tikal: A.m.azing!!) I wish you all the best.
So along those lines (before your youngest catches on.. hopefully not before he's 25) might I suggest a coupla of other (ahem, necessary) chareroned itineraries to spend with your boys? DEF Capetown: the peninsula, great winelands, a safari, ?great-white cage dive; Jordan: Amman, Petra, etc, etc; Cambodia: Angkor, etc, etc; (if you are a really good sell b/c it is SO safe/amazing) Lisbon...
or Madrid or Barcelona) Oh, Peru and Macchu??!! ..etc, etc, etc (Hey, even Guat: Antigua, Atitlan, Tikal: A.m.azing!!) I wish you all the best.
Dec 25, 2018, 4:59 pm
#6
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Thanks JDeux : all great suggestions .. Might try to fit them into while the non-rev rules allow (at least on agree terms for the boys, I have a 13 year old who is flexing his passport too ! LOL). Certainly some great ideas noted IrishBoy, Menlo Park, Calif.
IrishBoy, Menlo Park, Calif.
Dec 28, 2018, 6:55 am
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,210
Hello,
I'm thinking of staying here (Sheraton Libertador) at the end of December with my 2 teenage sons (17,19). This will be our first time to visit Argentina and would really value some tips (Travelling on some non-rev tickets, don't mind the journey from San Francisco).
How is the neighborhood where this hotel is located? Should I be unduly concerned about safety? We will be in BA for 72 hours. Are there any tours (English) via bus worth taking?
Any tips on visiting Argentina are most appreciated. We are all street savvy, sons (6'6 and 6'4 respectively) have visited Australia, NZ, UK and China this year alone, I figured I should go along on this one ...
Thank you,
IrishBoy
Menlo Park, CA
I'm thinking of staying here (Sheraton Libertador) at the end of December with my 2 teenage sons (17,19). This will be our first time to visit Argentina and would really value some tips (Travelling on some non-rev tickets, don't mind the journey from San Francisco).
How is the neighborhood where this hotel is located? Should I be unduly concerned about safety? We will be in BA for 72 hours. Are there any tours (English) via bus worth taking?
Any tips on visiting Argentina are most appreciated. We are all street savvy, sons (6'6 and 6'4 respectively) have visited Australia, NZ, UK and China this year alone, I figured I should go along on this one ...
Thank you,
IrishBoy
Menlo Park, CA
Safety wise...only problem I have ever encountered was on the subway when an incompetent pick pocket tried to dip into my cargo trouser pocket. Apart from that I've never felt unsafe in BA. I personally avoid the city in summer as it's too flippin' hot.
Enjoy your visit. ^
Feb 2, 2019, 7:08 pm
#8
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I have not been in Buenos Aires in 5 years but the Sheraton Libertador is in the centro area.
Very close to calle Florida, a few blocks from the Plaza de Mayo, walking distance to San Telmo and walking distance to the Teatro Colon
You are also close to Galerias Pacifico; nice small shopping mall with great architecture.
I have visited several times and lived there many years ago.
It is a truly awesome city that MUST be enjoyed on foot.
Not sure if you need a guided tour. Just walk from your hotel up to Palermo and its gardens on any of the major streets.
Do not miss Recoleta and the cemetery. It is worth a stop and tour.
Go into the Palace Alvear Hotel and at least have a cup of coffee or a drink. It is - for me - the grandest hotel in Buenos Aires.
Safety I think is always an issue where ever you travel. It ain't no NZ or Australia but it is generally safe. Common sense is your friend.
more than the size of the children, not flaunting large camera, phones or lots of money should be the rule.
Very close to calle Florida, a few blocks from the Plaza de Mayo, walking distance to San Telmo and walking distance to the Teatro Colon
You are also close to Galerias Pacifico; nice small shopping mall with great architecture.
I have visited several times and lived there many years ago.
It is a truly awesome city that MUST be enjoyed on foot.
Not sure if you need a guided tour. Just walk from your hotel up to Palermo and its gardens on any of the major streets.
Do not miss Recoleta and the cemetery. It is worth a stop and tour.
Go into the Palace Alvear Hotel and at least have a cup of coffee or a drink. It is - for me - the grandest hotel in Buenos Aires.
Safety I think is always an issue where ever you travel. It ain't no NZ or Australia but it is generally safe. Common sense is your friend.
more than the size of the children, not flaunting large camera, phones or lots of money should be the rule.
Feb 18, 2019, 6:56 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPlat, 2.4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 580
I have not been in Buenos Aires in 5 years but the Sheraton Libertador is in the centro area.
Very close to calle Florida, a few blocks from the Plaza de Mayo, walking distance to San Telmo and walking distance to the Teatro Colon
You are also close to Galerias Pacifico; nice small shopping mall with great architecture.
I have visited several times and lived there many years ago.
It is a truly awesome city that MUST be enjoyed on foot.
Not sure if you need a guided tour. Just walk from your hotel up to Palermo and its gardens on any of the major streets.
Do not miss Recoleta and the cemetery. It is worth a stop and tour.
Go into the Palace Alvear Hotel and at least have a cup of coffee or a drink. It is - for me - the grandest hotel in Buenos Aires.
Safety I think is always an issue where ever you travel. It ain't no NZ or Australia but it is generally safe. Common sense is your friend.
more than the size of the children, not flaunting large camera, phones or lots of money should be the rule.
Very close to calle Florida, a few blocks from the Plaza de Mayo, walking distance to San Telmo and walking distance to the Teatro Colon
You are also close to Galerias Pacifico; nice small shopping mall with great architecture.
I have visited several times and lived there many years ago.
It is a truly awesome city that MUST be enjoyed on foot.
Not sure if you need a guided tour. Just walk from your hotel up to Palermo and its gardens on any of the major streets.
Do not miss Recoleta and the cemetery. It is worth a stop and tour.
Go into the Palace Alvear Hotel and at least have a cup of coffee or a drink. It is - for me - the grandest hotel in Buenos Aires.
Safety I think is always an issue where ever you travel. It ain't no NZ or Australia but it is generally safe. Common sense is your friend.
more than the size of the children, not flaunting large camera, phones or lots of money should be the rule.
Feb 28, 2019, 5:31 am
#12
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Join Date: Aug 2000
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Posts: 35,681
Hello Charles... welcome to the Argentina Forums. What advice are you looking for..? What are your travel dates, are you coming alone or a group..? What are your general interests...? Please tell us a little about you and what you like/enjoy and the Forum regulars (an others) will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Cheers,
Alex (Gaucho100K)
Cheers,
Alex (Gaucho100K)